'Madea’s Destination Wedding' is a one-way trip to franchise fatigue

Tyler Perry needs to consider retiring the Madea franchise now. I recall him saying he was going to do so a while back, but he clearly couldn’t kill his ratings magnet. 

However, after watching “Madea’s Destination Wedding”, the 11th film in the franchise, cameos in other offerings notwithstanding, I can confidently say it has lost its appeal.

Mabel "Madea" Simmons has been a hit for being a tell-it-like-it-is grandmother. She’s unfiltered with her comments and isn’t afraid to tackle family dramas while also instilling important values. 

This championing of societal issues struck a chord with viewers. 

Madea is also inherently funny, as are the regular characters in the franchise, where Perry, aside from playing the titular role, also slips into the skin of Joe and Brian Simmons.

The film centres on Brian’s daughter Tiffany (Diamond White) announcing her marriage to Zavier (Xavier Smalls). The rushed wedding makes Madea very suspicious, but Debrah (Taja V. Simpson), Brian’s snobbish ex-wife who married into money, gives it her stamp of approval. 

Debrah takes every opportunity to rub her second husband’s wealth in Brian’s face, especially when they announce that it will be a destination wedding in the Bahamas.

What follows is unadulterated chaos from Madea facing her fears of law enforcement while applying for her visa, Brian’s ego bruised by the cost that sits with him, flying mishaps with the rowdy family and a few gambling and shopping splurges along the way. 

The script's handling of serious, relatable themes is pedestrian. Even worse, it’s not even funny. The excessive flatulent humour is overbearing.

Even Madea’s no-nonsense attitude has lost its clout. 

After two decades, Perry is simply flogging a dead horse with this franchise. Perhaps, it’s time to look for a new alter-ego.